It is clear in the bible that our God is a loving God, a God that will never push you past your limits. It is your reaction to these struggles that truly define your trust in God. Your reactions define your faith in God. I want to strive to be a man of God who is steadfast in my walk with Christ, putting full trust in him regardless of what my emotions are. So where do I go to find comfort in Christ? Where do I go to remind myself of his sovereign control over everything? For me, there are two places that bring me back to the amazing truth of God's love and control.
The first is obvious, and should be the first place all should turn to...that is the bible. If we all spent our energy in solving problems in the bible, things would work out to God's intent. For me, the bible provides comfort and perspective. When I feel stressed and that life is not going my way, I simply turn to the book of Job. What a true character Job had...and true faith. God put him through EVERYTHING, yet Job remained faithful to God. I encourage you to turn to the bible for healing, comfort, and guidance.
The second place I turn to is music. It is amazing the emotional & spiritual connection one can have through music. Through consuming music. Through creating music. Martin Luther said that
“Next to the Word of God, music deserves the highest praise. The gift of language combined with the gift of song was given to man that he should proclaim the Word of God through Music.”
Whether you feel you have a gift or talent in music, I truly believe that music moves all. Now some may still be looking for the music that moves them, and others have found it and have latched on. To me it is choral music. For some reason, I can throw on a piece of music and just have an emotional outpouring, especially when I am having a day where doubt, frustration, or confusion engulf my thoughts. Today would be one of those days! It is the beauty of choral music. It is the text. It is the humanity that is apparent. Choral music reminds me that live is not meant to be lived alone. God put others in our lives to weave into our being. Choral music is the same. Only through the work of the complete ensemble can you find comfort, completion, and a sense of purpose. God put others in your life to help provide that same sense.
I believe that God has put obstacles in my life to help me realize the blessings I have. I have a beautiful wife that is grounded in a strong faith in Christ! What a blessing!!! My family loves me and would be here for me in a heartbeat. I have been surrounded by family my whole life, and I can't even fathom NOT having a loving family to lean on. God has blessed me with MANY amazing friends. Godly friends who I can trust will lead me in the right direction through biblical advice. Friends who sacrifice for us. Friends who are willing to cry alongside us and for us. God wants me to remember the blessing of PEOPLE! People are what life is about. Relationships are what life is about. Everything else is secondary to this truth. And, sometimes relationships are hard. Sometimes you bless others, and sometimes others bless you. Sometimes you have to put yourself through discomfort to be there for others. My prayer is that we continue to live lives focused on people and God's truth. If you are reading this, then you are one of those people in my life and I thank you. I know that is not personal, and my goal is to have more intention in my relationships, but thank you!
So I just scrolled up to read my title....and I have it! Through trusting in God and leaning on the people in my life, I can have peace amongst angst!
Good stuff, Nate. Thanks for writing. I love that Luther quote.
ReplyDeleteI like the idea:
"People are what life is about. Relationships are what life is about... and sometimes relationships are hard."
I was challenged by the idea:
"I want to strive to be a man of God who is steadfast in my walk with Christ, putting full trust in him regardless of what my emotions are."